Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I would like to thank fellow collector Justin Lopez for sharing photos of the recently released Captain Hook from Peter Pan from his own collection.What I first noticed while viewing Justin's photos, was how the sculpture captures Hook's weight on the sword, causing it to bend at the tip.

The one thing I like about the releases from Peter Pan, the Walt Disney Classics Collection has been consistent with the sizing of all their releases from this film.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

In celebration of the spectacular Beauty and the Beasttheatrical re-release in Disney Digital 3D™, here once again are the exquisite pieces from the Walt Disney Classics Collection, capturing the enchanting characters who make this “tale as old as time”so timeless.

The producers of this animated classic were thoroughly honored to re-release the film in 3D, noting how deeply it still resonates with audiences today, more than 20 years after the film’s original release.

What better way to celebrate this animated masterpiece than with the spellbinding sculptures of the Beauty whose love broke the spell of a Prince-turned-Beast.

The current product available from Beauty and the Beast are featured in the upcoming Spring 2012 Releases sell sheet.

Friday, February 24, 2012

One of the popular releases from the Spring 2012 Releases is Ariel with Sebastian. When you look at the sculpture, you'll initially focus on Ariel but it's actually a two-character sculpture, including Sebastian that curmudgeonly crustacean crab. What really stands out in this bronze miniature of him, is the amount of attention in the detail in his facial expression.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Master Sculptor, Patrick Romandy-Simmons has created his own blog, Patrick's Disney Blog and his first entry shows some exclusive images of his upcoming release 'It All Started With a Field Mouse' for the Walt Disney Classics Collection.

In honor of its 20th Anniversary, the Walt Disney Classics Collection presents this specially designed sculpture featuring Mickey Mouse cheerfully contemplating a replica of the famed Field Mouse sculpture. The sculpture is Limited to Production Year 2012.

Check out Patrick's Blog to view this amazing sculpture in it's original clay form. Thanks Patrick for showing these images as they're truly appreciated!

The final review of the three pieces from the latest announcement is Ariel with Sebastian from The Little Mermaid.

When I read the announcement information and description of the piece (prior to seeing any images), I thought, 'Another Ariel' ::sigh:: and figured, I already have her under the sea on a rock and above the sea on a rock, do I really need another?

Then I saw the initial image and really liked the amount of detail to this piece and Ariel & Sebastian in more of an environment setting vs. previous releases (on the rock).

Now what to do? As I was pondering my decision, the additional angles came through and when I studied the close-up of her face and saw the lines of the piece from the back view, there was no hesitation. My decision was made, I pre-ordered and since they're arrival on Friday, have not had one regret. This piece is phenomenal!

As many know, over the years, am very much a face person. When it comes to the human characters, it's not easy to get that exact likeness to how you see them in the film. Characters like Snow White, Belle and Ariel seem to be the hardest of the lot. For me personally, studying this piece from every side, honestly feel the best likeness to Ariel of all the pieces done of her to date. From the roundness of her face, the wide-set eyes and of course, the signature hair, she is spot on!

Some have asked me, is it the same rock as the original 'Under the Sea' Ariel? If you look at both pieces together, it is. This version has more detail and more exact to the film. In the original sculpt, she is sitting on the same rock and you can see the coral and floral behind her (not as elaborate) and at her feet. The underside (where Sebastian is sitting) is there in the original but there is no depth. She is closer to the sea floor vs. elevated as in the latest sculpture.

Then there is Sebastian! I've noticed in the past couple years, the amount of detail that has gone into the miniatures (Timothy Mouse and Jiminy Cricket in two of last year's releases) and now Sebastian. His expression is priceless and you can almost hear him saying, "Someone's gotta nail that girl's fins to the floor!

Ariel and Sebastian are a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500, sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

This latest announcement included Disney's newest heroine, Rapunzel from Tangled. It's always nice when an announcement includes a character never done before and also from a more recent film.

This sculpture has such a sense of movement to it (one I think would be perfect displayed on a rotating riser). What catches your eye is the amount of detail .. from the swirl in her skirt to the amount of twists in her braid and then there are flowers in her braid.

It's obvious these are not an applique but each flower painstakingly painted and there are were no short cuts taken, as you can see in each photo below, the detail of the flowers encompass the entire braid from top to the knot at the bottom and on both sides.

'Braided Beauty' is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales. This charming sculpture embodies the carefree spirit of Rapunzel, the young lady with the 70 feet of golden hair and an unending yearning for adventure

When this piece was announced, I was on the fence whether to order or not. I had previously bought the Hawaiian Holiday Scene released in February, 2009 and kept hoping the scene would be completed with the addition of Pluto plus an Opening Title. I asked myself, 'Do you need another Donald from the same scene?' ::after some deliberation:: Answer: It's Donald, how could I not? :)

Click Image for Product Detail

After pre-ordering, the additional angle ('tush shot' as my one friend calls it) was made available. Getting a feel now of the overall sculpt, felt I made the right choice.

This piece is adorable and fun! There is such a sense of movement to this piece and you can't help but smile when you look at it! The base stayed consistent with the original scene release and the seashells here and there on the base are a nice touch.

Click Image for a Larger View

Next Question: 'Where do I display it?' I currently have the original scene displayed with the giclee done my Trevor Carlton (pictured at right) and didn't think a second Donald in the scene was going to look right, so decided to redo my boat display and think I found the perfect spot!

I decided to display Donald with the Tiki Hut accessory from Finding Nemo in my canoe-shaped display stand I purchased in 2008 at Lowe's. The Tiki Hut accessory is a perfect backdrop for the sculpt and almost replicates the scene in the giclee.

Click Image for a Larger View

Here is an updated photo of my Boat Display. Turned out to be such a cool way to display the water/tropical themed pieces plus is a great conversation piece with family and friends.

As much as I like this new Donald, am still not giving up hope we'll yet see Pluto and an Opening Title added at some point in the future!

Hawaiian Holiday Donald is a NLE of 750, sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Palm Frond production mark is making its debut on four of the seven Spring 2012 releases announced on Monday ... Rapunzel, Ariel & Sebastian, Captain Hook and Donald Duck.

The 2012 Production Mark (pictured at left) is the Palm Frond from Walt Disney's animated classic The Jungle Book (1967).

The Walt Disney Classics Collection features a yearly Production Mark that is incised or imprinted on the bottom of sculptures produced during the calendar year. This mark indicates the calendar year in which the piece was produced.

Update 02-20-12: Rapunzel is arriving with both production marks, 2011 (Umbrella from Mary Poppins) and 2012 (Palm Frond from The Jungle Book). Thanks Matthew for the head's up! Very Much Appreciated!

The Secondary Guide has been updated with both markings for those keeping track.

In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Walt Disney Classics Collection presents this specially designed sculpture featuring Mickey Mouse cheerfully contemplating a replica of the famed Field Mouse sculpture.

The first Walt Disney Classics Collection release in 1992, this award-winning piece reflected the breathtaking artistry of Walt Disney’s Bambi.

A highly sought-after collectors item, the Field Mouse has come to symbolize the exacting animation principles and beautiful artistry of the Walt Disney Classics Collection.

'It All Started With a Field Mouse' sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons is plussed with pewter leaves and a delicately detailed bronze miniature Field Mouse is Limited to Production Year 2012.

Now you can add this sculpted tale of two mice to your own collection! As the Walt Disney Classics Collection celebrates 20 years of fine art animation sculptures, they’re happy to have Mickey on hand to remind us it was all started by a field mouse.

From Snow White to Cinderella, from Ariel to Belle, the beauty and charm of Disney’s Princesses have enchanted audiences of all ages.

Now, from Tangled, a new princess has joined the royal ranks. Happy to be free of her imprisoning tower, Rapunzel joyfully luxuriates in her long tresses, freshly styled by the village children.

Ever conscious of the principles of authenticity and character, right down to the tiniest details, the Disney animators considered not only Rapunzel’s hair, but also how it would be lit; even how the textures on the fabrics would appear in relation to her skin.

'Braided Beauty,' a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 was sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales and plussed with pewter legs.

This charming sculpture embodies the carefree spirit of Rapunzel, the young lady with the 70 feet of golden hair and an unending yearning for adventure.

As Ariel daydreams about her true love, who just happens to be a forbidden human, Sebastian the crab attempts to talk the in-over-her-head little mermaid into staying under the sea.

One directing animator revealed his love of developing characters with strong desires in overcoming seemingly impossible feats and that’s Ariel who dreams of walking on land, becoming human and marrying the man of her dreams, a human Prince, no less, the kind of longings that make a character really appealing.

Flashes of another diminutive sidekick, Jiminy Cricket, crossed the mind of one supervising animator who sensed reluctance in Sebastian when it came to his unsung duty of keeping tabs on Ariel.

'He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...' a Numbered Limited Edition of 1,500 was sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales and plussed with four pewter flowers and a bronze Sebastian.

This colorful sculpture details the delightful dynamic between the undersea princess and her exasperated musical mentor.

One of Disney’s greatest villains, Captain Hook is a conniving combination of calm-sea smoothness and fearsome ferocity.

One of Walt Disney’s directing animators liked Captain Hook because of his finesse and how he thought of himself as very refined and sophisticated.

Two members of the Peter Pan creative team disagreed about Hook, with one seeing him as a foppish dandy, who loved all the finery, while the other saw him as a mean character who used his hook menacingly, while Walt saw something fascinating in both approaches.

'Silver-Tongued Scoundrel,' a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500 was sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and plussed with bronze and pewter.

Special Notes: Captain Hook is in-scale to the other Peter Pan pieces (Peter and the Mermaids,
etc.) Height a bit deceptive due to feather on his hat.

This piece does not
have the Villains Series backstamp. Lady Tremaine is the 2012 villain. Captain Hook was previously a Villains Series release in the sculpture featuring him at the
Piano with Tinker Bell.

As for Donald’s fabulously wealthy uncle, Scrooge McDuck, the legendary artist behind the top-hatted tycoon noted that this character is undoubtedly the richest in the land of fiction, but also the most miserly.

Uncle Scrooge would never spend his money on a vacation in Hawaii— he’s too busy getting his kicks by cleaning his cash.

'Laundry Day' (2-piece set) sculpted by Bruce Lau is the fifth release in the Classic Comics Series and Limited to Production Year 2012.

Scrooge is plussed with pewter money and eyeglass frames and inspired by a classic comic book cover.

What’s a pretty little pixie to do when the raindrops of a spring shower start to splash down on her delicate beauty? Why, use a dainty daisy as an umbrella, naturally.

The sixth in the Disney Artist Series (third release in the Tinker Bell Seasons Series), this fresh-as-a-daisy sculpture is delightfully plussed with pewter grass, water drops, and hair ribbon, and a bronze daisy stem.

Specially designed by Disney Master Artist David Pacheco, Tinker Bell is the centerpiece of the Walt Disney Classic Collection’s 2012 Spring Premiere Event.

Aglow with the magic of one of Walt Disney’s most beloved characters, this pixie-dusted piece perfectly captures the sprightly spirit of Tinker Bell as the playful pal of Peter Pan celebrates spring as only she can.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Part of the process in creating
memorable Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures is creating
whiteware.

The final clay sculpt is cut into pieces and a plaster
mold of each piece is made. The more complex and delicate the sculpture, the
more pieces are needed.

Liquid clay called 'slip' is poured into the molds and
partially air dried into 'greenware' pieces, which are then re-assembled using
more slip. The greenware is sprayed with a translucent glaze and fired in a
brick kiln, creating a glazed whiteware. The whiteware is then painted with a
yellow dye to pick up any flaws within the whiteware.

Figment ("Heights of Imagination"), a Numbered Limited Edition of
500 to be released April 21st is plussed with real rope, metal flag pole and flag and metallic paint on the pick axe.

If you click on the image above, you will be able to
see and study the amazing detail that went into this sculpture, sculpted by Bruce Lau with the creative direction from Disney Master Artist, David Pacheco.

Special Note: The
whiteware version of the Figment is not
available for sale. The image has been made available as a behind the
scenes look into the production of this sculpture.

Yesterday, the Walt Disney Classics Collection announced the latest Figment release ("Heights of Imagination") slated for an April 21, 2012 release at the Art of Disney. Epcot®.

Today a back view was made available that shows his wings, tail, scarf and the hat he wears over his horns.

Based on
original attraction reference, Figment is hand-crafted of fine porcelain,
hand-painted, kiln-fired and provisioned with real rope, metal flag pole and
flag, and metallic paint on the pick axe.

Sculpted by
Bruce Lau with creative direction from Disney Master Artist David
Pacheco,

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Join Figment on an expedition
into breathtaking wonder and towering imagination! Creativity is a
never-ending adventure, and this intrepid, little dragon is the personification
of that all-too-human quest to push the boundaries of the possible and discover
uncharted territories of magic and dreams.

Recreating the memorable
moment in “Heights of Imagination” in which Figment scales the summit of a
snow-capped peak, this new numbered, limited edition of 500 Walt
Disney Classics Collection sculpture captures the daring mountaineer at the
apex of his creative powers.

Based on original attraction
reference, Figment is hand-crafted of fine porcelain, hand-painted, kiln-fired
and provisioned with real rope, metal flag pole and flag, and metallic paint on
the pick axe.

Sculpted by Bruce Lau with
creative direction from Disney Master Artist David Pacheco,

Please visit The Art of
Disney Parks web site for information about the event and how to order,
information should be posted by February 27, 2012:

The second of the Winter 2012 releases from the Walt Disney Classics Collection has
started to arrive at retailers this week!

"Isn't it Lovely? Do You Like It" (Cinderella), sculpted by Dusty Horner is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500 and plussed with pewter legs.

This latest release from Disney’s Cinderella, is an appropriate release with 2012 marking the 20th Aniversary of the Walt Disney Classics Collection.

The collection is made up of key moments and characters telling the story through 3D sculptures. The upcoming release of Cinderella (”Isn’t it Lovely? Do you like it?”) continues the story beginning with one of the first Walt Disney Classics releases from Cinderella, “A Lovely Dress for Cinderelly” a Numbered Limted Edition release of 5,000 released in October, 1992.

In February 2005, the sequence continued when Cinderella actually received the Dress. “Oh, Thank You So Much”, sculpted by Rafaello Vecchione, was released as an Open Edition release, suspended in May, 2010.

We see the sequence continue in Winter, 2012 with the Numbered Limited Edition release of 1,500 sculpted by Dusty Horner where Cinderella proudly wears the dress made by her animal friends Jaq, Gus, Suzy, Perla and the rest of her birds and mice friends.

For
those keeping track of production marks, Cinderella bears the 2011 production
mark, the Umbrella honoring Disney's Mary Poppins (1964).

'A Sweet Send Off,' sculpted by Kent Melton was released as an Open Edition release in July, 2007. Sculptures released in that year were produced with a 70th Anniversary backstamp in honor of the film's release.

Friday, February 3, 2012

The first of the Winter 2012 releases from the Walt Disney Classics Collection has started to arrive at retailers this week!

"Manipulative Matriarch" (Lady Tremaine), sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500
and the Villains Series release for 2012. This marks Lady Tremaine's second appearance in the line.

For those keeping track of production marks, Lady Tremaine bears the 2011 production mark, the Umbrella honoring Disney's Mary Poppins (1964).